A safe system of work developed by Eurobodalla Shire Council to protect volunteer workers on Council worksites has been recognised by the New South Wales Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia (IPWEA).
The Institute presented Council with an Occupational Health and Safety Implementation Award for its VolunteerSAFE system at its annual State conference held in Wollongong late last year.
Located on the south coast of New South Wales, Eurobodalla covers 3,400 square kilometres and has a population of around 37,400 people.
VolunteerSAFE is a safety management system designed to protect volunteers who work on projects with Council, such as shared pathways or Landcare bush regeneration works.
“We apply VolunteerSAFE to all construction sites manned by volunteers,” said Council’s Director Roads and Recreation Warren Sharpe.
“It involves the management of risks on a construction site so that a safe workplace is maintained and volunteers return home safe after a day’s work.”
Warren Sharpe said keeping Council volunteers, staff and contractors safe on worksites is Council’s number one priority.
“Our safety systems have been recognised as being comprehensive and we continue to work to improve them to ensure volunteer safety on our sites,” he said.
On accepting the Occupational Health and Safety Implementation Award, Council’s Construction Supervisor Ian McGrath said he appreciated the time and effort volunteers gave to the Eurobodalla community and it is important that their safety and wellbeing are looked after by safety management systems like VolunteerSAFE.
“This award acknowledges the achievements of Council for Occupational Health and Safety practices that have been successful in reducing the risk of injury,” he said.
The award recognises the hard work involved in maintaining a successful OH&S management program and is designed to reward councils in NSW for implementing a policy, procedure or program that has made their workplace a safer environment.
